3-vehicle crash kills mom, child

By Staff Writer

A fatal three-vehicle wreck shut down part of Mike Padgett Highway for at least two hours Thursday, authorities said.

Karen H. Hawn, 23, of Waynesboro, and her 17-month-old daughter, Brandy N. Habercorn, were killed in the accident while traveling in a Ford Mustang on Mike Padgett Highway, said Richmond County sheriff's Deputy Bernie Hardin.

Ms. Hawn suffered trauma to the body and fractures to her lower extremities, said Deputy Coroner Grover Tuten. She was pronounced dead at 12:55 p.m. at the scene, he said.

The toddler was taken to Medical College of Georgia Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 2:20 p.m. from a broken neck, authorities said. Brandy had been strapped in a child-safety seat in the back and needed to be cut from her restraints after the accident, officials said.